From the people that designed the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell jet-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Hyfish, comes their futuristic SmartFish small personal jet.
SmartFish prototype specifications are a cruise speed of Mach 0.85 (561mph/903kph at 35,000ft/10,670m), a 10000km (6,200 miles) range, low fuel consumption, and low CO2 emissions. A Williams FJ-33-19 turbofan with 1900lbs (864kgs) of thrust powers the Smartfish and fueled from two integral wing tanks holding 625liters (165 US gallons).
The SmartFish is only 6.9m (22ft 8”) long, with a 5.4m (17ft 9”) wingspan and an empty (dry) weight of 500kg (1,102lbs), 400kgs (882lbs) of fuel and 300kg (661lbs) of pilot, passenger, and luggage.
The blended wing and body mean a large internal volume for fuel and a roomy cabin, as well as high lift to drag ratios. Fewer mechanical parts to actuate fewer aerodynamic control surfaces mean higher reliability. The design is backed-up by some high tech Swiss and German research and development companies.
Based on some high performance blended wing-to-body aerodynamic shapes, tested out numerically with computational fluid dynamics models, then in wind-tunnels and with radio-controlled scale models, the SmartFish guys are now looking for partners to develop UAVs, high performance sports planes, business jets and even spacecraft to re-enter the earth’s atmosphere.
It really is a cool looking flying machine, and if it achieves its expected performance of flying 10,000kms using 625litres of aviation gasoline with a 10% reserve, then it gets better mileage than our Toyota Yaris (17.8kms/liter versus 16kms/liter).
Visit: http://www.smartfish.ch/
Via Dvice
written by Bob , February 04, 2010
As Bob says - the 1102lbs is without fuel, pilot, passenger and luggage. Max take off weight is 1,200kgs (2,645lbs).
written by Tim , February 04, 2010
These guys need a booth at Osh Kosh right beside JetPack Man and NASA Personal Tiltrotor
written by E-C-Z , February 05, 2010
written by TEXinDFW , February 05, 2010
written by jose cuervo , February 05, 2010
I would guess that the queue of investors behind the Epic aircraft, and Grob jet, the Adam Aircraft disaster, and nearly-endless list of other failure debacles will be next in line to be skinned with this fishing-for-dollars P. R. campaign. True-believers are so easy to tap for cash. Just drop in a few lines baited with impressive CFD airflow drawings, and set the hook with promises of early delivery positions and unbelieveable (really... not believable) projected performance.
Makes for a cute r/c model, tho', if you look at the video hyperlink.
written by TEXinDFW , February 05, 2010
Don't listen to the negative vibes on this page. It often comes from people with just the energy to press buttons on their TV remote control, with their behinds riveted on their living-room couches.
For more credibility though, do provide Cl-to-Cd ratios over speed envelope.
written by VCTO , February 06, 2010
written by Glenn Roberts , February 07, 2010
written by Bluemanx , April 03, 2010
written by Wilson , April 04, 2010
To prove-out the concept, this project should have some flesh hung on its meager bones by initially producing it via state-of-the-art kits and show the world some tangible reality and performance... a la Lancair's beginning. Avoids all the up-front expense, time, and issues of type-certification and production-certification approvals. Just ask Adam Aircraft, Epic, Grob, and Eclipse how well new (and orphan) aircraft types fare in the real world; it's a tough and brutal Darwinian business. So, my position stands: It's a paper airplane that is likely always to remain so. But it's cute and fun to contemplate.
written by TEXinDFW , April 07, 2010
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written by skyguy , February 04, 2010